I'm concerned that Beach bum doesn't believe my claims because he seems like a fairly intelligent person. But I don't see how any intelligent person can agree with the statements that you are making.
I am letting the founding fathers' words speak for themselves.
George WashingtonGeneral Orders, (July 9, 1776) George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 3g Varick Transcripts"The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one third pr month -- The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives -- To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger -- The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a
Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country."
General Orders (May 2, 1778); published in Writings of George Washington (1932), Vol.XI, pp. 342-343"The Commander in Chief directs that divine Service be performed every Sunday at 11 oClock in those Brigades to which there are Chaplains; those which have none to attend the places of worship nearest to them. It is expected that Officers of all Ranks will by their attendence set an Example to their men. While we are zealously performing the duties of good Citizens and soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of Religion. To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of
Christian. The signal Instances of providential Goodness which we have experienced and which have now almost crowned our labours with complete Success, demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns of Gratitude and Piety to the Supreme Author of all Good."
Speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs (May 12, 1779); published in The Writings of George Washington (1932), Vol.XV, p. 55"My ears hear with pleasure the other matters you mention. Congress will be glad to hear them too. You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of
Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention; and to tie the knot of friendship and union so fast, that nothing shall ever be able to loose it."
John AdamsLetter to Thomas Jefferson, 1812"The Ten Commandments and
the Sermon on the Mount contain my religion."
Diary, 26 July 1796:"The
Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity, and humanity."
Thomas JeffersonApril 21, 1803 letter to Doctor Benjamin Rush"To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed, opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of
Jesus himself.
I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others; ascribing to himself every human excellence"
Letter to William Canby on September 18, 1813"Of all the systems of morality, ancient and modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of
Jesus."
Letter to William Short on October 31, 1819"But the greatest of all the reformers of the depraved religion of His own country, was
Jesus of Nazareth."
Note: Thomas Jefferson loved Jesus of Nazareth and the Gospels so much that he took the time and effort to write a compilation of his favorite parts of the Gospels, which was published after his death and came to be known as The Jefferson Bible.Benjamin Franklin1790 letter to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale University"As to
Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see"
Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1749), p. 22."History will also afford the frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public; the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the mischiefs of superstition, &c. and the excellency of the
Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."
John Jay1797 letter to clergyman Jedidiah Morse"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our
Christian nation to select and prefer
Christians for their rulers."
"It is to be regretted, but so I believe the fact to be, that
except the Bible there is not a true history in the world. Whatever may be the virtue, discernment, and industry of the writers, I am persuaded that truth and error (though in different degrees) will imperceptibly become and remain mixed and blended until they shall be separated forever by the great and last refining fire."
John Quincy AdamsSpeech to the U.S. House of Representatives, July 4, 1821"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected, in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of
Christianity."